Chapter 20: The Consort’s Scheme

Qian Ning took the small path and quickly arrived outside the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters.

Eunuch Lin was on night duty at the entrance. When he saw Qian Ning, he couldn’t help but feel a little suspicious. “Miss Qian Ning?”

“Eunuch,” Qian Ning bowed to him and explained her purpose for coming.

Since a few days ago, Zhong Zihan had told Eunuch Lin that if Qian Ning ever came with a matter, she could go directly to the Crown Prince. So Eunuch Lin did not stop her.

“Please wait a moment, Miss. I’ll go in and announce you.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.”

Inside the Crown Prince’s chambers.

Xiao Che had fainted as soon as he returned.

Ji Chen, the Crown Prince’s personal physician, was treating him.

After acupuncture therapy, Xiao Che had regained consciousness.

“Your Highness has been poisoned with a secret venom from the Southern Isles,” Ji Chen said gravely as he withdrew the silver needles from the Crown Prince’s body.

“Can it be cured?” Zhong Zihan asked urgently, without even asking how he had been poisoned.

“I’ve already administered the antidote. However, there is still some residual poison in His Highness’s system. He will need to take a few more decoctions to fully recover.”

Just as Ji Chen finished speaking, Eunuch Lin suddenly entered the room.

He bowed toward the Crown Prince. “Your Highness, Miss Qian Ning from Cold Maple Pavilion requests an audience.”

Xiao Che and Zhong Zihan both froze. Could something have happened to Shu Ruohua?

Xiao Che frowned. “Let her in.”

If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t bother to see them.

But when it came to Shu Ruohua’s safety, he couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

Soon, Qian Ning entered the room.

She bowed respectfully. “This servant greets Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Xiao Che gave a soft “Mm,” and gestured for her to rise.

“Upon hearing of Your Highness’s injury, my lady was deeply concerned and sent me to check on you.”

As Qian Ning spoke, she handed a food box to Eunuch Lin.

Eunuch Lin looked toward Xiao Che. Upon receiving a nod, he opened the food box and took out a bowl of congee, which he presented to the Crown Prince.

Xiao Che looked expressionlessly at the congee in Eunuch Lin’s hands.

He hadn’t eaten enough at the banquet earlier, and truthfully, he was feeling quite hungry.

He reached out to take the bowl, but was stopped by Ji Chen.

“Your Highness!”

Because of the poisoning, Ji Chen was wary of anything brought by Qian Ning.

Xiao Che understood his concern.

However, Shu Ruohua was in the Cold Palace, which was entirely under his control. Without his permission, she could never leave.

If she truly wanted to harm him, she would never have let Qian Ning deliver something personally.

It was probably someone deliberately leaking news of his injury to the Cold Maple Pavilion, which led Shu Ruohua to send the congee.

He gave Ji Chen a subtle glance, indicating that it was fine.

He took a few sips of the congee and then dismissed Qian Ning.

Qian Ning had originally come simply to help her mistress win favor with the Crown Prince, and hadn’t expected that he would drink the congee in front of her. Her heart filled with joy.

She must rush back and report this to her mistress.

Inside the chamber, the moment Qian Ning left, Xiao Che ordered Zhong Zihan to follow her and report back immediately if anything happened.

Zhong Zihan acknowledged the order.

Sure enough…

As Qian Ning walked along the small path through the rear garden—

“Oh? Who do we have here?” A sharp, female voice suddenly called out behind her.

Qian Ning felt a jolt all over, like she had been electrocuted, and instinctively tried to flee.

But after just two steps, she was blocked by two palace maids in front of her.

She tried to retreat, but two more palace maids appeared behind her, cutting off her escape.

Not far away, a familiar voice called out—

“Oh, it’s you, Miss Qian Ning!”

Autumn Moon supported the Consort as she slowly walked over.

The Consort gave Autumn Moon a look, and Autumn Moon stepped forward, sizing Qian Ning up from head to toe before sneering sarcastically:

“I thought Miss Qian Ning had been locked up in the Cold Maple Pavilion along with the Crown Princess. What are you doing here?”

Qian Ning said nothing.

Autumn Moon’s dark eyes glinted maliciously. She suddenly turned and grabbed Qian Ning’s chin roughly.

“What’s the matter? Our lady is asking you something. Are you mute?!”

Qian Ning immediately dropped to her knees. “I wouldn’t dare.”

The Consort chuckled coldly. “Wouldn’t dare?”

She walked up. “From what I see, you’re quite bold—daring enough to seduce the Crown Prince and still say you wouldn’t dare?!”

Qian Ning’s heart skipped a beat.

She suddenly understood—

So the palace maid outside the Cold Maple Pavilion earlier had been planted there by the Consort.

Ever since she left the pavilion, she had been followed.

This encounter with the Consort—it had all been orchestrated from the start.

…

Meanwhile, Zhong Zihan stood not far away.

The moment he saw the Consort, he understood why the Crown Prince had ordered him to secretly follow Qian Ning.

He quickly turned and ran toward the Crown Prince’s residence…

(End of Chapter)